I was thinking how usernames don't appear in the Masquerade thread, it makes sense for the event but it's a bit disappointing since titles are also gone. :(

Here is my idea instead of having usernames just disappear how about we get a drop down of options (aliases) and get to choose one that will appear where the username would be. I think this would add a bit of fun to the event and stay within the spirit of the event as well.

Forums titles would be visible as well and I think that would be great :)

I'm unsure why you're sad titles are also gone? It's supposed to be anonymous and you can have your title everywhere else during the event.

But I do like the idea of fun aliases anyway, with out without titles.

Well, it's a Masquerade, so our identities are meant to be hidden, and showing our usernames just spoils everything. But using aliases could be sth interesting, although I'm not sure how programmers can do this...

It isn't that this wouldn't be fun, but it's kinda unnecessary and against the spirit of the thing to make it default? Make those who want to identify you work for it. Or, make this a 100 CSC feature you get to keep in a fancy dress jewel box and bring out every year for this holiday: this nickname on top of your nickname that is your username, it's a bonus extra mask you get to wear.

It's not as if folks don't already have "dance with their username" in their signatures nor as if folks even keep their old well-crafted signatures that everyone already recognizes. Other users also have named pets leashed to their HA if they have a GA, and it's easy to find out who owns a pet. The leash even has a spot for you or your pet to say something mysterious and romantic if you like. If you want to reveal something about yourself you already can.

If someone wants to find out who some other masked user is, they can use URL tricks in the ballroom. Finding out a user's user number in this way is already like gossiping around with other masked-but-identifiable-to-you ballgoers trying to guess who someone is underneath the mask.

how about like:

MYSTERIOUS STRANGER is zombie long time

Oh, I like this idea! It's simple, clean and isn't confusing like the missing usernames in the Masq forums. You still keep the mystery without making it look like the forum is bugged out.